Video: Sighting and Measuring Angles

I want to share this video with you today showing my favourite ways of sighting and measuring angles when sketching buildings out on location (click here if embedded video doesn’t play for you).

Many people make perspective a barrier to sketching buildings – is that you?

I believe that the most important thing is to simply build on your observational skills and ability to see angles more accurately and get them on the page.

I originally planned this video to be part of SketchingNow Buildings lesson 1. But I thought it might be better to share it publicly with a wider audience. Not to mention the fact that Lesson 1 already has lots of content!

So do you struggle drawing angles when sketching buildings?What is the method you currently use?
Please make this article more helpful to everyone by sharing your approach with us in the comment section.

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16 Comments

Hi Liz, thank you for the tips.
Sometimes I use a different way of measuring. I hold the sketchbook in the air, and then I align my pencil with the angle, lock the angle and bring it to my paper. It helps to check the angles I have already drawn.

Great tips … to break down sketching a huge building! I use the hand/eye coordination and find it is pretty accurate. Glad you mentioned that as one of your favorite tips! Counting the days until next week!!!

someone gave me a handy little tool made with a metal brad & two strips of card stock. it easily adjusts as you use it to measure the building angles and then carry them down to your sketchbook. problem is, i tend to forget to use it! (unfortunately, i can’t seem to post a picture of it here!)

Excellent range of tips! I forget to use the clock option – usually checking the angle aligned with my pen instead (and often accidentally changing the angle between the air and my page!) But your visual guide for the clock here is inspiring me to use it, and would help me to keep a constant angle between what I see and what I draw.

Thanks Liz!
Perspective is one of that hardest skills I have to teach, I’m an elementary school art teacher. The hands of the clock will be an especially helpful technique even just talking to the students about where the angle should be.

Thank you, Liz..I’m totally new to your site, but SO happy I found your blog! I’m relatively new to sketching, so will love to tale some of your classes. Can you tell me what kind ink you use in your fountain pen that is, I assume, waterproof? Thank you!